Knicks must stay away from Rudy Gobert trade request rumors
The concept of Donovan Mitchell possibly being traded to the New York Knicks this summer isn’t new to fans, but the idea of his teammate being sent to Manhattan is. However, Rudy Gobert is reportedly willing to request a trade in the coming days.
Like Mitchell, Gobert’s contract with the Utah Jazz runs through 2024-25, with a $46.7 million player option in 2025-26. A trade for either player would be a blockbuster, but given Utah’s first-round exit against Dallas, Gobert appears to be ready for a change.
Four days after the Jazz’s year came to an end, Sirius XM’s Sean O’Connell posted on Twitter with information that was told to him via “a source close to the situation.”
Rudy feels that his own numbers are consistent or getting better, while Don is D liability and is falling off in terms of explosiveness. Gobert also aware of at least 1 Western Conference power that would be willing to pay handsomely for his abilities. (NBA teams never tamper..)
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) May 2, 2022
Would Rudy Gobert be a good fit for the New York Knicks if he requests a trade?
If what O’Connell has been told is true, it wouldn’t be a shock. Gobert and Mitchell haven’t always been the most cordial teammates and have been together for five seasons without much to show for it as a team.
Since Mitchell was drafted by Utah in 2017, the Jazz have made it to the conference semifinals twice and have lost in the first round three times.
There’s a reason why rumors were floating around about Mitchell requesting a trade if Utah didn’t make it past the first round once again. Because he’s a guard and because of his ties to his home state of New York, he’s garnered the most attention for the Knicks.
However, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, “The expectation is the Jazz will look to trade Gobert and rebuild around Mitchell.” Helin also mentioned that there is truth to the speculation that Mitchell is interested in playing in New York.
Over the next few days, more information should be available about Mitchell’s desire to leave Utah or not, but if it does come down to a ‘him or me’ situation for Gobert, it seems as if the Jazz are more inclined to stick with Mitchell.
If the Knicks and Mitchell Robinson don’t agree to a contract extension, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in July. If he does walk in free agency, it’ll likely be because New York wasn’t able to offer Robinson as much money as he could get elsewhere.
The Knicks have a roster that’s overflowing with youth, so keeping Robinson should be a priority, but unfortunately, it may not happen in reality.
But pursuing Gobert in a potential trade shouldn’t be New York’s priority. Yes, the seven-foot-one big man averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks during the 2021-22 regular season. He can protect and finish at the rim, like Robinson, and has been named DPOY three times, but trading for Gobert would require a lot.
The Knicks have assets and could even try to throw Robinson into a sign-and-trade deal with Utah, but bringing Gobert to New York would seem contradictory. The Knicks could sign a center for free agency for a much cheaper price to compete with Jericho Sims for the starting spot.
New York’s expected to have a busy offseason, but not by completing a trade for Gobert. The Knicks could sign a new guard either via free agency or trade, but Gobert’s name shouldn’t be in the cards.
